Men, poverty, and social welfare policy

This dissertation focuses on how the lives of low-income men in the United States have been affected by the sweeping economic and social changes of the last decades of the twentieth century. Less skilled and minority young men today face serious difficulties in achieving satisfactory careers and family lives. Anecdotal evidence suggests that public policies and social welfare programs essentially ignore poor men—except for incarcerating them in record numbers in recent decades.; The dissertation examines the experiences and perceptions of low-income men with respect to employment, income, family, social welfare programs, and other issues. Is there a lack of “fit” between the needs of poor men and the parameters of the U.S. welfare state? If so, why? What can be done to improve public policies for poor men?; In order to answer these questions, both quantitative and qualitative data were utilized. This study analyzed the Current Population Survey data over the past thirty years to understand developments affecting 25–34 year-old men in labor markets, living arrangements, and participation in social welfare programs. In addition, multiple semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 low-income black and white men aged 25–39. They were recruited within the Boston area using snowball sampling methods. Topics explored included work histories, survival strategies, family life, participation in social welfare programs, and other issues.; Findings from the CPS data and the Boston interviews confirmed the view that few poor men participate in social welfare programs such as cash assistance or job training programs. Without regular employment or families with children at home, they are rendered invisible to policymakers. All informants had considerable work experience, albeit with much job turnover, and almost all wanted to work at decent wages. In addition, poverty assaulted many informants' sense of manhood and contributed to self-defeating behaviors such as substance abuse and violence. Implications for theories of gender and the welfare state are discussed. The dissertation concludes with concrete recommendations for public policy changes that could improve the lives of poor men.